▪ I. ramper1 dial.
(ˈræmpə(r))
Also 8 rampar.
[Prob. a corruption of lamprey.]
a. The lamprey. Usu. ramper-eel. b. (See quot. 1865.)
| 1792 Statist. Acc. Scotl. IV. 217 note, These spotted eels are called Rampar Eels. 1818 R. Jamieson Notes Burt's Lett. I. 122 The ramper-eel, lamprey, or nine eyes, is held in abhorrence. 1865 J. Couch Brit. Fishes IV. 408 Myxine. Hagfish. Ramper eel. Poison Ramper. 1894 Northumbld. Gloss., Ramper [N.], the lamprey. |
▪ II. ramper2
(ˈræmpə(r))
[f. ramp v.2 + -er1.]
One who ramps; spec. (see quot. 1887).
| 1819 Sporting Mag. V. 123 The cup-and-ball Macers, the Nob-Pitchers, and the Rampers. 1886 Gd. Words 247 A ‘ramper’..is engaged with other roughs to get up the disturbances, under which ‘welshers’ seek to..secure their retreat. 1887 Daily News 12 Oct. 7/1 He knew the prisoners as ‘rampers’, i.e. men who claimed to have made bets to bookmakers, and hustled and surrounded them if they refused to pay. |
▪ III. ramper
obs. or dial. var. rampire.